World News
US troop movements raise fears of a risky ground attack on Iran
Iran has publicly rejected Trump's diplomatic outreach and threatened massive retaliation if the US does put boots on the ground in a bid to break Tehran's will
 "US troop movements raise fears of a risky ground attack on Iran")
No one wants Iran's top job, fears being killed by US, says Trump
Trump, while delivering remarks at the NRCC Annual Fundraising Dinner, said that there has never been a head of a country who wanted that job less than being the head of Iran
 "No one wants Iran's top job, fears being killed by US, says Trump")
Hormuz route opened for friendly countries, including India: Iran
Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai said in a post, "Iran FM Abbas Araghchi: We permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan"
 "Hormuz route opened for friendly countries, including India: Iran")
No plan for negotiations with US to end war, says Iranian foreign minister
Iran's defiance came as Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and as the United States deployed paratroopers and more Marines to the region
 "No plan for negotiations with US to end war, says Iranian foreign minister")
Fighting resumes between Pak, Afghanistan after temporary ceasefire ends
The latest violence comes about a week after both sides agreed to halt hostilities following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar
 "Fighting resumes between Pak, Afghanistan after temporary ceasefire ends")
UK court rejects Nirav Modi's petition to reopen case against extradition
Rejecting Modi's petition, the court observed that the petition and the circumstances surrounding it were not exceptional to make it appropriate to reopen the case
 "UK court rejects Nirav Modi's petition to reopen case against extradition")
Trump to visit China in May after rescheduling trip due to Iran war
Trump, who was earlier scheduled to travel to Beijing by the end of this month, postponed his trip due to the war in Iran
 "Trump to visit China in May after rescheduling trip due to Iran war")
UK plans ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties: PM Starmer
The move could be a financial blow to the hard-right party Reform UK. The party led by Nigel Farage is one of the few in Britain to accept cryptocurrency donations
 "UK plans ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties: PM Starmer")
US court questions Trump administration's ban on Anthropic AI's usage
Anthropic sued last month to block the Pentagon's declaration, escalating a high-stakes dispute over safeguards on AI technology used by the military
 "US court questions Trump administration's ban on Anthropic AI's usage")
Trump names Huang, Zuckerberg to 13-member science and tech council
Trump has made securing US leadership in artificial intelligence a priority of his second term, framing the technology as a defining arena of strategic competition with China
 "Trump names Huang, Zuckerberg to 13-member science and tech council")
Strait of Hormuz opens to ships but marine covers to stay pricey
Insurance brokers say war-risk premiums will remain elevated as uncertainty persists in West Asia despite Iran allowing passage for non-hostile vessels through Hormuz
 "Strait of Hormuz opens to ships but marine covers to stay pricey")
US jury finds Google, Meta liable in social media addiction trial
Snap and TikTok were also defendants in the trial. Both settled with the plaintiff before it began. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed
 "US jury finds Google, Meta liable in social media addiction trial")
Meta is laying off hundreds of employees across multiple teams: Report
Meta had nearly 79,000 employees as of December 31, according to its annual filing
 "Meta is laying off hundreds of employees across multiple teams: Report")
BBC names former Google executive Matt Brittin as new director-general
Brittin, 57, spent almost two decades at Google, becoming the company's president in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He does not have a background in broadcasting
 "BBC names former Google executive Matt Brittin as new director-general")
Iran rejects Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, presents its own 5 demands
Tehran termed the US proposal excessive, and said it would continue operations; it also outlined five conditions including security guarantees and control over the Strait of Hormuz
 "Iran rejects Trump's 15-point ceasefire plan, presents its own 5 demands")
Iran conflict shows limits of BRICS as India faces pressure to pick sides
New Delhi has strong economic ties with the UAE and other Gulf nations, where almost 10 million Indians work
 "Iran conflict shows limits of BRICS as India faces pressure to pick sides")
Closure of US bases, sanctions relief: What is Iran demanding from Trump?
Iran has responded to Trump proposed 15-point ceasefire plan with sweeping demands including US bases closure in the Gulf and sanctions relief
 "Closure of US bases, sanctions relief: What is Iran demanding from Trump?")
Shehbaz Sharif briefs Saudi Prince as Pak pushes to mediate US-Iran talks
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of the recent attacks on the Kingdom and reaffirmed Islamabad's unwavering solidarity and unequivocal support for Saudi Arabia
 "Shehbaz Sharif briefs Saudi Prince as Pak pushes to mediate US-Iran talks")
Israel envoy to UN denies knowledge of US led peace overtures to Iran
Addressing a media stakeout at the United Nations, the envoy said the goal was to ensure that Iran did not gain nuclear capability
 "Israel envoy to UN denies knowledge of US led peace overtures to Iran")
'Negotiating with yourselves?': Iranian military mocks Trump's claim
This came shortly after the Trump administration sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran
 "'Negotiating with yourselves?': Iranian military mocks Trump's claim")